Quick Shots: Van Vleet could be in NBA some day

Wednesday

Mar 12, 2014 at 2:44 PMMar 12, 2014 at 2:44 PM

By Jay TaftRockford Register Star

At the beginning of this season, few would have believed the quiet little point guard out of Auburn, Fred Van Vleet, would be NBA-ready ever (let alone by the next draft). A lot of folks are changing their minds these days. Van Vleet has turned into arguably one of the five best true point guards in college basketball.

He’s already been named the MVC Player of the Year, and has his 34-0 Shockers poised to make another run through the NCAA Tournament. They went all the way to the Final Four last year, and could top that this time.

The kid can lead, he can pass, he can shoot, and he has that inner drive that can’t be taught. Some NBA exec will give him a shot and probably be glad he did.

Hubbard lifts team to 1st nationals

Sophomore guard Juwan Hubbard (Guilford) scored the game-winning basket with just over a minute left as the Carl Sandburg Chargers (18-14) rallied to beat Olive-Harvey 73-69 on Saturday in the regional championships, earning the school’s first berth to the NJCAA Division II national tournament.

Sandburg, the fifth seed at regionals, will play in the national tournament starting Tuesday in Danville.

Hubbard had 19 points and eight rebounds on Saturday and was named the tournament’s MVP.

Threloff, Armstead earn honor

Northern Illinois earned a victory in Monday’s Mid-American Conference Tournament showdown — its first home postseason game in 11 years — and two players earned league honors on the same day.

Amy Hicks (Rockford Christian) wrapped up her college career at Augustana (6-19) as the new career leader in free throw percentage (80.5). She is also third in 3-point shooting percentage (34.5) and 10th in field-goal percentage (47.6).